Step Into the Big Tent

Last week I went to a media career fair on campus, hosted by the j-school. I was kinda' exited about it - you know, the nervous variety - because the university-wide career fair a couple of weeks ago turned out to be a bust for me.

So, on the day of the event, I dressed in a conservative black skirt suit with a turquoise blouse (come on, it wouldn't be me without some color) and straightened my hair to within an inch of its life for good measure - I'll discuss the quandary of ethnic hair in the workplace on another occasion. I also shoved a handful of business cards in my portfolio pocket and emailed copies of my résumé to myself for printing out at school later.

When I arrived at the fair, I checked in at the career services table and surveyed my surroundings. Forget a fair, I had stopped into the big tent of a three-ring circus! To my left was the main hall. Several local and regional broadcast, print, pr and advertising organizations each had their own sideshow. Instead of paying with nickels and dimes, however, the "kids" - me included - paid to see the production with résumés and elevator pitches.

In front of me I saw a girl from back home - telecommunications major - putting her pearly whites to good use, explaning to a television station recruiter why she would be a good fit for his company. We made eye contact, she waved and gave a tight smile while sweat gleamed on her face. In high school, we had been constant competitors for top honors. Today, I empathized with her. After all, we were both unsure, yet confident burgeoning talent hoping that some recruiter would like us - really, really like us - and take us home today (or just back to the office).